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Pioneer church planter in China and Thailand, and theological educator of the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society (ABFMS).
Born in Easton, New York. A graduate of Hamilton Literary and Theological Institution (Hamilton Theological Seminary), Dean married Matilda C. Man, who died before he arrived in Siam on 1 Jul 1835. He was appointed to work among the Chinese in Thailand and there founded and pastured the world's first Protestant Chinese church, Maitrichit Chinese Baptist Church, on 1 Jul 1837. He also instituted theological training classes (1838-42). He then married Theodosia Ann Barker in 1838 (who died five years later) and sailed to Hong Kong in 1842 with preaching students Tang Tui and Koe Bak, helped to organize Hong Kong Swatow Baptist Church and Cheung Chau Baptist Church, and began training many preachers. His third wife, Maria Stofter, whom he met on furlough, had directed school and women's ministries in Siam.
The Deans returned to Siam (1865) and built up the work in Bangkok based on wide experience and respect from both church and society. The Deans work prospered, peaking in 1882 with 500 baptized Chinese in six churches and seven outstations. In 1881 Maria left for the United States and died there. William then returned to the States in August 1884 after 49 years of ministry. Dean helped globalize Chinese missions, emphasized theological education for the Chinese Baptist churches, ordained Thailand's first indigenous pastors, and sent out scores of Chinese Christian workers. Dynamic and sincere with people, he authored a number of Chinese biblical commentaries. He died in San Diego, California.
Donald S. Persons